“This time around, it’s more exciting because this year has been so exciting in terms of my growth as a woman and as an artist,” Keys said. “I’m really getting to enjoy it. The first time it was all a whirlwind, and I was caught up in the shock.”

This year, Keys has been nominated in a host of categories, including Album of the Year, for The Diary of Alicia Keys, and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. However, it’s her Song of the Year nod for “If I Ain’t Got You” that means the most to her.

“That is such an important song to me,” Keys said. “It talks about the important things in life and things that really matter. I will never get tired of singing that song.”